Other senior care options in California:

Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 640 independent living communities in California using California Department of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed
640 homes
Other senior care options in California:

Video Tour: Top-rated Independent Living facilities in California.

Watch this Video to see California's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Walk Score: 57/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in California. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 103The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in California. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around California

Reata Glen
IL
AL
MC
NH
Mission Viejo
840
Facility 840
CA AVG 103
Rank #2 / 1657
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 57
Rank #2044 / 2092
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1401
8
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #569 / 1487
80.6%
Facility 80.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #584 / 1368
B-Reat Glen Orange County Ccrc1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Villa Lorena Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
San Diego (Black Mountain Ranch Village)
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 103
Rank #884 / 1657
No
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 57
Rank #1693 / 2092
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 81
Rank #1022 / 1401
14
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 13
Rank #1129 / 1397
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #413 / 1164
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #703 / 1487
72.9%
Facility 72.9%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #778 / 1368
-Santaluz Senior Partners,LP;Vlgp Inc(Gen. Partner)-
The Ivy at Wellington
IL
AL
Aliso Viejo
160
Facility 160
CA AVG 103
Rank #288 / 1657
No
29
Facility 29
CA AVG 57
Rank #1735 / 2092
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 81
Rank #881 / 1401
15
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1061 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1210 / 1487
78.8%
Facility 78.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #624 / 1368
-Well Oak Tenant LLC;Oakmont Management Group LLC-
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
Santa Ana (East Memory Lane)
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 103
Rank #45 / 1657
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #830 / 2092
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1247 / 1401
23
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1242 / 1397
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #828 / 1164
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #21 / 1487
32.9%
Facility 32.9%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1355 / 1368
A+Christian And Missionary Alliance-
Cogir of Sonoma
IL
AL
Sonoma (Oregon Street)
82
Facility 82
CA AVG 103
Rank #901 / 1657
Yes
74
Facility 74
CA AVG 57
Rank #598 / 2092
87
Facility 87
CA AVG 81
Rank #568 / 1401
10
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #441 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
34.1%
Facility 34.1%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1342 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant; Cogir Management Usa1 Bed / 2 Bed
Oakmont Gardens
IL
AL
Santa Rosa (Oakmont Village Association)
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 103
Rank #936 / 1657
Yes
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 57
Rank #1663 / 2092
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1247 / 1401
24
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #1024 / 1397
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 3
Rank #1152 / 1164
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1100 / 1487
62.0%
Facility 62.0%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1069 / 1368
-Ffi Oakmont Tenant LLC; Life Care Services LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of North Bay
IL
NH
AL
Vallejo (Harry Floyd Terrace)
83
Facility 83
CA AVG 103
Rank #897 / 1657
Yes
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 57
Rank #1422 / 2092
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1401
12
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #762 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
44.6%
Facility 44.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1300 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of Rohnert Park
IL
AL
Rohnert Park
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 103
Rank #956 / 1657
Yes
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 57
Rank #1760 / 2092
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 81
Rank #946 / 1401
13
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #953 / 1397
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #828 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
56.0%
Facility 56.0%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1160 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton
IL
Pleasanton
828
Facility 828
CA AVG 103
Rank #3 / 1657
No
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 57
Rank #1422 / 2092
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 81
Rank #308 / 1401
11
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #654 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #569 / 1487
90.6%
Facility 90.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #265 / 1368
-Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton Ccrc LLC-
University Retirement Community
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
Davis (West Davis)
500
Facility 500
CA AVG 103
Rank #22 / 1657
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1242 / 2092
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1401
12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #529 / 1397
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #413 / 1164
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #158 / 1487
--Univer Retire Com At Davis/Pacific Retire Services1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Casa de las Campanas
IL
NH
AL
San Diego (Rancho Bernardo)
582
Facility 582
CA AVG 103
Rank #10 / 1657
No
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 57
Rank #1932 / 2092
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #398 / 1401
14
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #814 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 13
Rank #64 / 1487
86.8%
Facility 86.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #347 / 1368
A+Casa De Las Campanas/Life Care Service, LLC-
Chino Hills Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
RC
Chino Hills (Butterfield Ranch)
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 103
Rank #827 / 1657
Yes
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 57
Rank #1720 / 2092
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 81
Rank #1261 / 1401
24
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #1147 / 1397
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #953 / 1164
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #492 / 1487
94.7%
Facility 94.7%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #193 / 1368
A+Pacifica Chino Hills LP; Chino Hills Mgr LLCStudio / 1 Bed
The Park at Modesto
IL
Modesto
225
Facility 225
CA AVG 103
Rank #110 / 1657
Yes
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 57
Rank #1963 / 2092
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 81
Rank #1261 / 1401
33
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #1261 / 1397
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 3
Rank #1033 / 1164
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #988 / 1487
82.2%
Facility 82.2%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #547 / 1368
-Wm Milpitas Mgr LP,Gp Of Milpitas Phase I Ops LPStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of Vallejo Hills
IL
AL
Vallejo (Somerset Highlands)
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 103
Rank #916 / 1657
Yes
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 57
Rank #1846 / 2092
87
Facility 87
CA AVG 81
Rank #568 / 1401
9
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #719 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
58.8%
Facility 58.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1130 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa Inc1 Bed / 2 Bed
Carlton Senior Living Pleasant Hill – Martinez
IL
AL
Pleasant Hill
165
Facility 165
CA AVG 103
Rank #275 / 1657
Yes
65
Facility 65
CA AVG 57
Rank #888 / 2092
83
Facility 83
CA AVG 81
Rank #765 / 1401
10
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #654 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
37
Facility 37
CA AVG 13
Rank #55 / 1487
84.2%
Facility 84.2%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #404 / 1368
-Carlton Senior Living, LLCAlove / 1 Bed
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Overview of Atria Willow Glen

Nestled in the heart of San Jose, California, Atria Willow Glen stands as the pinnacle of excellence. Offering a wide range of living options, including memory care apartments, assisted living apartments, and independent living floor plans, Atria Willow Glen caters to the unique needs and preferences of each resident.
Take a dip in the heated pools, enjoy a trip to the on-site barbershop, or unwind in the center media room.

Life at Atria Willow Glen is nothing short of amazing. With a calendar full of engaging activities, residents have endless opportunities to socialize, learn, and explore their passions. Delight in the culinary experience, as fresh seasonal ingredients are thoughtfully prepared to create delightful meals each day. The comprehensive emergency response plans ensure that the facility is meticulously maintained and provides a safe environment for all residents.

Contact Atria Willow Glen

Overview of Belmare Senior Living

Spend your golden years surrounded by kind and genuine people in Belmare Senior Living, a warm and inviting community in Oakdale, CA, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. They ensure residents are given personalized care that best aligns with their needs and preferences, allowing them to receive the proper amount of care to maintain their independence. Those needing extra love and care have access to a 24/7 care team trained to assist them with their daily living activities, personal hygiene, medication reminders and more.

Their memory care unit is always ready to welcome residents with memory conditions in a safe and secure environment with specialized care and programming. A full calendar of activities provides residents with plenty of opportunities to make enriching experiences and social connections. Whether you’re seeking comfort, independence, or convenience, Belmare Senior Living is committed to delivering everything you need for a fulfilling living experience.

Contact Belmare Senior Living

La Vida Del Mar

850 Del Mar Downs Rd, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Overview of La Vida Del Mar

Explore an idyllic community with La Vida Del Mar located in Solana Beach, CA. The La Vida Del Mar is an inviting senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, and integrated health care. Known for its coastal setting, this community stands out from the crowd. A variety of resort-style, pet-friendly, and spacious accommodations are available depending on their living terms.

Experience its exceptional amenities and services, including locally-sourced delightful meals fine dining experience on the patio at Calypso Restaurant, three-dimensional approach to wellness, pool activities, and local attraction trips. In addition, philanthropic opportunities, lifelong learning seminars, concerts and social happy hours, and arts and creative writing classes make every moment count in the living experience. Thus, seniors are assured of a reliving retirement with La Vida Del Mar.

Contact La Vida Del Mar

Maravilla

5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Overview of Maravilla

Maravilla operates across three care levels (assisted living, independent living, memory care) at 5486 Calle Real in Santa Barbara, managed by Senior Resource Group under Ruth E Grande’s administration. The 131-bed community is structured as three stories with flexible housing: suites, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units ranging from 398 to 1,177 square feet. Eleven years of operating history, paired with 95% occupancy (125 of 131 beds filled), suggest consistent market demand.

The neighborhood scores 42 on the Walk Score, meaning some services are walkable but most trips require a car. It’s 8.8 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. The facility offers beauty services, transportation, housekeeping, social and recreational programming, exercise, a swimming pool, and structured programs called Zest Wellness, Dine Your Way, and SyneRGy. These are the operational anchors.

State surveys have documented serious deficiencies involving staff qualifications and building safety systems, including an immediate health and safety risk tied to staff management and an inoperable elevator. Substantiated complaints detail delays in toileting care, poor communication with residents’ authorized representatives, and failure to seek timely medical attention after a resident fall. A background check deficiency for a private caregiver was cited, then corrected. The facility shows seven serious citations against a state average of three, and seven moderate citations against an average of four.

The inspection pattern suggests systemic gaps in care coordination, staff management, and safety systems. Maravilla’s high occupancy and longevity don’t correlate with inspection findings that point to operational deficiencies families should evaluate directly before placement decisions.

Contact Maravilla

Overview of Eskaton Village Roseville

Eskaton Village Roseville offers a vibrant senior living experience in West Roseville, CA conveniently located near shops, restaurants, parks, and medical services. This community features a main Lodge providing independent living, assisted living, short-term stays, and memory care services, surrounded by a picturesque neighborhood of private residences. Residents can choose from spacious accommodations with various floor plans to suit their tastes. Eskaton Village Roseville is dedicated to personalized care, especially for those experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s, with specialized programs and enhanced wellness support.

Enjoy its exceptional amenities including 24-hour staffing, licensed nurse oversight, iWave air purification, smart home technology, and weekly housekeeping. The community also offers a Campus Village Center with a café bistro, fitness center, heated pool, library, and more. With Eskaton Connect, residents and families stay connected through an easy-to-use app, ensuring a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle at Eskaton Village Roseville.

Contact Eskaton Village Roseville

Overview of Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living

Residing in the harmonious neighborhood of Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA, Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living is an extraordinary senior living community that provides assisted living, memory care, and respite care. The community features sophisticated and purposely built studio and one-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience comfort and convenience at its finest. A reliable and highly skilled team strives to deliver top-tier care and support to meet seniors’ special needs and aspirations.

Meet new friends and participate in engaging activities and exciting programs for leisure and wellness. With its commitment to seniors’ well-being, the community serves delightful and well-balanced meals for dietary satisfaction. Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living fosters a warm and inviting environment for seniors to thrive and live their best lives within its wonderful premises.

Contact Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living

Wood Glen Hall

3010 Foothill Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview of Wood Glen Hall

Wood Glen Hall offers quality care for an adult care home that offers compassion and kindness; residents can feel comfortable with the team of dedicated staff who are ready to attend to any needs. The affordable assisted living services perform nothing less than quality service in a nurturing and cozy environment that inspires residents to thrive and live comfortably.

The premier community has boasted an elevated lifestyle through the high service provided to seniors who live independently. All-inclusive amenities include delicious and nutritious meals by a chef, weekly housekeeping and laundry, everyday fitness activities with their finest gym equipment, lush gardens, and a spacious community garden.

Contact Wood Glen Hall

Alta Vista Senior Living

2041 W Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083
Overview of Alta Vista Senior Living

A proud Aura Living community member, Alta Vista offers a luxurious environment that creates a lifestyle filled with endless possibilities for seniors to discover. The independent living community provides a list of amenities and services that make a comfortable and secure environment for residents. The residential lifestyle is focused on relaxation, enjoyment, and peaceful living. Alta Vista is a vibrant community that encourages residents to thrive independently, flourish actively, and live purposefully.

The Alta Vista difference boasts its commitment to delivering quality care and service for each individual to be enriched and engaged during their stay. Accommodations comprise delightful amenities and services such as housekeeping, laundry, engaging programs, social events, recreational activities, fitness classes, gourmet meals at the restaurant-style dining hall, beautifully furnished apartments, and an in-home emergency call pendant.

Contact Alta Vista Senior Living

Overview of Westmont of Carmel Valley

Designed to encourage a vibrant living experience, Westmont of Carmel Valley is a distinct senior living community in San Diego, CA, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community provides its residents with a luxurious setting with stunning accommodations and top-notch amenities designed to make residents feel like they are on vacation. Friendly and competent care experts are always on standby to offer compassionate care and assistance with daily living activities or specialized memory care should residents need it.

Helping its residents live a vibrant and meaningful life, the community organizes a wide array of activities and events with something for everyone to enjoy. A diverse selection of delicious meals are carefully prepared and served daily to make sure residents always eat healthy and right on time. Amenities like an outdoor pool, fitness center, bistro, theater, community garden, and walking trails are also offered to further enhance residents’ comfort and convenience.

Contact Westmont of Carmel Valley

Overview of Atria Tarzana

Conveniently located in San Fernando Valey and near the local amenities of Etiwanda Avenue, Tarzana, CA, Atria Tarzana is an idyllic senior living community that provides assisted living and independent living. The community features various spacious floor plans including studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments equipped with kitchens and balconies. With 24-hour care and assistance from a friendly and dedicated team, residents live comfortably and safely.

Atria Tarzana promotes innovation, providing seniors with technologies such as the Atria InnerCircle App that keeps the seniors updated and engaged with the community and the CarePredict that monitors fall risks round-the-clock to ensure residents are safe and comfortable. Alongside various dining options including a restaurant and coffee bar, the community serves three chef-prepared and locally-inspired meals daily. The community includes a hot tub, a movie theater, a fitness center, a courtyard, a library, and a patio.

Contact Atria Tarzana

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in California

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 640 independent living communities in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in California?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in California, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in California?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.